Number 365

Oh my, this blog has been up and out there for a year.  Because sometimes I had two to post in one day, I've actually posted 369.

I started my first blog in 2008.  It's still up.  Do old blogs ever fade away?  Maybe we have to dis-establish them.  I've actually removed a lots of posts from my early blogs.  Gracious, was I a bit egotistical in those days (stop laughing) thinking if I posted it, it must be good.
Lately I've been pushing myself to have new things to share.  So the quality hasn't always been there for you.  See, my ego can take a bit of critique.  As long as it's gently given.

So where is the direction to go in the new year?  Something to think about.

And here's the last of this year for you.

I love the old Black Mountain photos over Customer Service at Ingles, our local big grocery store.

Quote for today:

_{As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world -- that is the myth of the "atomic age" -- as in being able to remake ourselves.   Mahatma Gandhi}

 

Tardy to return

Douglas Lake, or the river between portions of it, provides I-40 from Knoxville to Asheville a reason for a bridge.  And the bridge was a reason for a construction project.  And the construction was the reason for a delay of an hour in my journey earlier this week.  The delay was the reason the sun was setting at this point, rather than when I drove in my driveway.  And at least that was the end of the 2 delays where traffic was stop and go.  I was very grateful to not have any accident scenes to deal with on my whole trip.  Most of the drivers were very polite.

Same downtown but a bit different

The fire station with new bench facing the Town Square.

A blurry shot of the depot. 

Decorations at home

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A collection of evergreens, pseudo Christmas trees...to enjoy year after year.

Song of the Wood

Our local dulcimer store, includes musical recordings and beautiful instruments built right here in Black Mountain.

Yoga

Black Mountain Yoga moved into new quarters recently. 

I sometimes attend a class by Amy Willow Allen, not held here, but at the UU Church right up the road.  I volunteered to have my photo taken for Willow's brochure for her therapeutic yoga.  It's funny.  So I won't show you!

Today's Quote: 

Do not be small minded. Do not pray for gourds and pumpkins from God, when you should be asking for pure love and pure knowledge to dawn within every heart. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa,  Great Swan by Lex Hixon

Another holiday passes

Penland School, Tai and Kendra

Peace on earth
Good Will
between all

no more road rage

no more spam

no more eavesdropping

no more violence with guns

trust

love

tolerance

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

Weekends by the lake

Someone brought big dogs to walk them around the lake.  These 2 vans had huge crates inside.  I'm glad to see big dogs...especially well behaved ones.

This was the first time I'd walked around the lake on a weekend morning.  It was kind of sad.  There were a few dads with kids.  They all looked kind of lost.  I realized these are probably divorced dads who have the kids for the weekend, and want to do something fun, maybe something healthy with them, by coming to the lake and the playground.  But nobody seemed very happy.

I was glad at least the dads were trying to continue their role in their children's lives.  I remembered how important that had been when I was divorced.  I know how important that is now that one of my sons is divorced.  But it's a tough adjustment for both kids and dads.  Especially when they are on the receiving end of events that they didn't really have any decision in.  I think this stage of life for both of these groups of people need more support and understanding.

Horseshoes too

A month ago it was nice to see the last of tree leaves, red still, overlooking the horseshoe pits at Lake Tomahawk.

Quote for today:

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.    Donna Roberts